our story

on getting off our phones and into the real world

Checkpoint is an instant photo experience that allows anyone to capture memories in physical spaces in a whole new way. We want the future of social connection to happen IRL, not through our personal devices.

We believe in real-world connection, spontaneity, and the gift of art. We place checkpoints in a variety of third-spaces around the world, allowing tens of thousands of people to discover communities and create memories along the way.

"we're bridging physical and digital communities with an instant and social photo experience."

Checkpoint was the brainchild of two artists during Covid who were sick of feeds, performative posting, and phones in general. We believed there needed to be a way to foster natural, healthy connection where we feel most human: the real world.

Beginning with a box found at the Container Store and a simple webcam, Checkpoint has gone through multiple iterations to get to where it is today. After three years and four box designs later, the Checkpoint box now includes unique QR codes leading to connective digital experiences, admin pages to customize prints in any way imaginable, and a warm LED panel, inviting users in.

bungee-space-nyc
printed matter nyc

Our sentiment has resonated with people of all walks of life and has taken us around the world. Checkpoint knows no bounds, and has has appeared at all different kinds of cultural events and locations. A Georgian Cultural Festival in Queens, a paella rave in Williamsburg, the Accelerate crypto conference, app launch events throughout NYC, fashion shows in rundown shipping centers, food tasting events, yoga classes, Lollapalooza, run clubs in Vancouver, social media creator meetups.

The locations our boxes live in are just as diverse and beautiful. You can find Checkpoint at a Latino coffee shops, nonprofit art-bookstores, LGBTQ-friendly clubs, Pharrell's Billionare Boys Club, skate brands, fashion hubs curating from different cultures around the world, vintage resell stores, and respected art instituations. People love our box, and can feel the intention behind the product. 250,000 photos have been taken on Checkpoints around the world, and it's only growing every day.